PARK RIDGE, Ill. -- After leading the University of Michigan women's cross country team to the Big Ten title on Sunday (Oct. 28), head coach Mike McGuireand freshman Shannon Osika(Waterford, Mich./Mott) were named Big Ten Coach of the Year and Freshman of the Year, respectively, the conference announced on Tuesday (Oct. 30).

The Wolverines captured their ninth conference title in program history, all of which have come under McGuire's direction. McGuire has received Coach of the Year following each of the nine conference titles, including a streak of five straight from 2002-06.

In her debut at the Big Ten Championships, Osika was the first freshman to complete the 6,000-meter course, finishing 13th overall in a time of 20:41.6. She received All-Big Ten second team honors for finishing within the top 14.

Osika was Michigan's top finisher in the first two races of the season and has been in the Wolverines' top five in two of their three scored meets.

Michigan has had consecutive Big Ten Freshmen of the Year winners, as junior/sophomore Taylor Pogue(Goodrich, Mich./Goodrich) shared the honor last season. In the program's 34-year history, the Wolverines have captured eight conference Freshman of the Year awards.

Senior captain Lindsey Hilton(Rochester Hills, Mich./Adams) was also named Michigan's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree. One runner from each of the 12 Big Ten Conference institutions receives the award annually.

Hilton has been a member of the Wolverines' Big Ten squad during each of her four years at Michigan, recording a career-best 24th-place finish this season.

Michigan State's Sarah Kroll earned Big Ten Athlete of the Year.

The Wolverines will be back in action on Nov. 9 when they travel to Madison, Wis., for the NCAA Great Lakes Regional. The women's 6,000-meter event is slated for a noon CDT start time at Zimmer Championship Course.